Cadwallon ap Madog

Cadwallon ap Madog was the son of Madog ab Idnerth who had died in 1140, while Idnerth was a grandson of Elystan Glodrydd who had died in around 1010 and had founded a dynasty in the Middle Marches of Wales, in the area known as Rhwng Gwy a Hafren (Between Wye & Severn).

Prince of Maelienydd

After the death of Madog ab Idnerth, there was clearly a great deal of conflict in the Middle March between his family and the Norman Marcher lords. Madog is known to have had at least five sons of whom Hywel ap Madog and Cadwgan ap Madog were killed in 1142 by Helias de Say, the Lord of Clun. Another son - Maredudd ap Madog - was killed by Hugh de Mortimer in 1146. This left two surviving sons, who ended up in control of the two principal divisions of their father's lands in Rhwng Gwy a Hafren: Cadwallon ap Madog ruled Maelienydd and his younger brother Einion Clud ruled Elfael. The two fell out and Cadwallon is recorded as having seized Einion and handed him over to Owain Gwynedd, who in turn handed him over to Henry II. But Einion was later free, joining with his brother to rally under the banner of Owain Gwynedd at Corwen in 1165.